Sending out a New Year's resolution challenge to county

Tuesday

Jan 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Here we are — 2014. Happy New Year to all of you. The holidays are over, and it's January, which for me is the most dreaded month of the year. Most people would concur. It's long, it's cold, and it's depressing coming off of the holiday high, not to mention the dreaded "resolutions."

Cheryl Briggs

Here we are — 2014. Happy New Year to all of you. The holidays are over, and it's January, which for me is the most dreaded month of the year. Most people would concur. It's long, it's cold, and it's depressing coming off of the holiday high, not to mention the dreaded "resolutions."Oh, too often everybody makes a resolution that they keep, for a short time. Join the gym, until March. Quit smoking, until May. Give up chocolate, until February. You know the drill, and we are all guilty of it. This year, I don't want to dread January, or break resolutions — I want to do something different. I want to set a personal goal to do something for someone else.Last holiday season, my family lost an extended member to lung cancer. She died at the Hinkle House during the holidays. She was the type of person who would do anything for you if you needed help. A friend of my family was diagnosed with lung cancer right before Thanksgiving this year. She is undergoing chemotherapy. In talking with her, she really expressed to me how differently you think when you are faced with cancer.Amidst realizing cancer is hitting more people than I care to see happen, I recall the best advice anyone has ever given me, "Do what you need to do now, because you don't know if you are going to be here tomorrow to do it." This year, my resolution is going to be centered according to all of this bad news I have just shared with you. On a personal level, my resolution will be centered on helping someone in some way. As you make your own resolutions for the New Year, I challenge you to do one simple thing: Do something kind for someone else. There are so many volunteer opportunities available to you in Davidson County, and a lot of them are easier than you might think.I come from a family of volunteers. There is my aunt who since my childhood has been basically a re-distributor of goods. She has fed countless people. She could clothe, feed and organize a small army by going to a few yard sales and making a couple phone calls. My parents are involved with Meals on Wheels, Gideons International, Prison Ministry, food bank deliveries and who knows what else this month.Of course, my family members are retired. I am not retired; between children, school and work, there is hardly enough time in the day to get what I need done on my own family level, let alone volunteer. However, I am also tired of using that as an excuse. Again, "Do what you need to do now …" Of course I cannot give back on the level that a retiree can, but I have been doing some soul searching and want to share some ideas with you on how we can all give back, throughout the year, not just at holiday time. Give blood. If you are able and willing, it doesn't take long, it doesn't hurt, and it does help. I am O positive. Believe me, the vampires at Red Cross call me a lot and send me reminder cards. They do come to churches and the schools close to my own home. This year I vow to follow through and donate. My goal is for another gallon pin. Clean out your closets and give to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Have old computer equipment lying around the house you don't use or need? Give it to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. What is trash and useless to you can really help someone else. Both of these organizations help so many people on so many levels, anything you can give will be used and appreciated. There are also clothing donation boxes located throughout the county. Call a nursing home. Ask if there is a resident who doesn't have anyone to look after them. They may not have family or they may have family that is far away. Adopt a grandparent. Find out what they need; it could be as simple as a box of Kleenex and a bottle of lotion. Take a basket of goodies and visit them, and if you have children, take them, too. On that same note, everyone usually only thinks of it only at Christmastime, but adopt a serviceman/woman. Not everyone who joins our Armed Services comes from a big loving family that sends care packages. Donators send goodies at Christmas, but these soldiers have birthdays, too. A simple card or a small box with a few personal items could really brighten the day for someone who is serving our country far away from home. There are websites to take you through the process. With a little creativity, some web searches and a few phone calls, you should be able to find something or someone you can help. Here's hoping for better days this New Year 2014, and if we all follow through with acts of kindness throughout the year, I am sure it will be a good one. Cheryl Briggs lives in Lexington with her husband and two children and wishes everyone a Happy New Year full of health and happiness.

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